More than 1,000 students from local schools staged a walkout and marched through downtown Santa Cruz on Friday to protest against ICE and Trump administration policies before settling in outside the county courthouse.
Capitola & Soquel
Posted inBusiness & Technology
More local businesses, groups announce closures for anti-ICE national shutdown Friday
More Santa Cruz County businesses and community groups are closing or taking action Friday as part of a national shutdown protesting violent immigration enforcement and the killings of anti-ICE activists in Minneapolis. Restaurants, retailers and organizations from Felton to Watsonville announced closures, donations or solidarity actions, while students and health care workers also organized rallies and demonstrations.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best of Santa Cruz County food & arts events this weekend, Jan. 29-Feb. 1
With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County, with a recommendation from Lookout correspondent Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inFood & Drink
Slurps up: 8 bowls of soup for winter in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County is famous for January beach days, but winter is still the season of the soup. This guide rounds up eight standout bowls — from oversized pho and spicy bún bò huế to luxurious khao soi and seafood-studded chowder — all regular-menu staples vetted for flavor and value.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Public Libraries add Sunday hours at two branches, opening later on Fridays at all branches
The Capitola and Felton branches of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries are adding Sunday hours, part of systemwide schedule changes coming Feb. 1.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Scotts Valley solar cell company goes dark; passing the torch at Alta Organic Coffee
In her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the demise of Ambient Photonics, notes a generational shift at a local coffee roaster and delivers names, numbers and events to know.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Passing the baton at Alta Organic Coffee; El Toro Bravo is back; Living Swell Kombucha’s brick-and-mortar spot
In her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli spotlights a changing of the guard at a Westside coffee stalwart, the reopening of a Capitola Village fave, where you now can find Living Swell Kombucha outside of local farmers markets and plenty more in Santa Cruz County food & drink.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Jan. 27
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Monitoring ICE; temperature rising over rail line; protesting Trump immigration enforcement
Around Santa Cruz County politics & policy, including a look ahead at what’s on upcoming agendas for local elected officials and commissions.
Posted inFood & Drink
Capitola’s El Toro Bravo reopens after a yearlong rebuild
El Toro Bravo in Capitola Village reopened on Jan. 21 after a yearlong closure caused by a gas explosion and fire. With a refreshed interior and a bold new blue exterior but the same longtime menu and hospitality, the reopening of the decades-old restaurant marked a milestone for the multigenerational family behind it.